Video/audio system and method enabling a user to select different views and sounds associated with an event

ABSTRACT

A video/audio system includes an interface device that receives a plurality of audio and video signals from a plurality of sources. The interface device combines these signals into various combinations and transmits the combinations to a receiver. The receiver is configured to interface one of the combinations of signals with a user. In this regard, the receiver allows the user to select one of the combinations, and in response, the receiver separates the video signal(s) of the selected combination from the audio signal(s) of the selected combination. Then, the receiver renders the video signal(s) via a display device and produces a sound defined by the audio signal(s) via a speaker. Accordingly, the user is able to control which set of audio and video signals are interfaced with the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This document claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date ofcopending provisional application entitled “Audio/Video SignalDistribution System for Head Mounted Displays,” assigned Ser. No.60/123,341, and filed Mar. 8, 1999, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to video and audio signalprocessing techniques and, in particular, to a system and method forreceiving video and audio signals from a plurality of sources and forproviding a user with multiple combinations of these signals to selectfrom.

2. Related Art

Audio and video signals are generated from a plurality of sources duringmany events. For example, at an auto race, television crews usuallyposition cameras at various locations within view of a race track. Thesecameras generate video signals defining views of the race track fromvarious perspectives. In addition, microphones positioned at variouslocations generate audio signals defining different sounds at the autorace. For example, microphones may be located close to the race track toreceive sounds produced by the vehicles participating in the race, andmicrophones may be located close to television commentators to receivethe comments of the commentators as they observe and comment on therace.

One of the video signals and one or more of the audio signals areusually selected and combined together at a television station to form acombined video/audio signal. This signal is then modulated andtransmitted so that users having a television can receive the combinedsignal via the television. The television demodulates the combinedsignal and displays an image defined by the video signal on a displayscreen and reproduces the sounds defined by the audio signals viaspeakers. Therefore, the sights and sounds of the race can be viewed andheard via the television.

In addition, one or more of the audio signals, such as audio signalsdefining the comments of radio commentators, are usually selected andmodulated at a radio station to form a radio signal. This radio signalis then transmitted as a wireless signal so that users having radios canreceive the signal via a radio. The radio demodulates the signal andreproduces the sounds defined by the radio signal via speakers.

However, users viewing and/or hearing the sights and sounds of the racevia televisions and/or radios are not usually given the opportunity toselect which video and/or audio signals are modulated and transmitted tothe television and/or radio. Therefore, the user is only able to receivethe signals modulated and transmitted to the television and/or radio,even though the user may prefer to receive the other audio and/or videosignals that are generated at the auto race.

Spectators who actually attend the auto race are usually given moreoptions to view and/or hear the sights and/or sounds of the race fromdifferent perspectives. In this regard, a plurality of monitors areusually located at a particular location in the stadium. As used herein,“stadium” shall be defined to mean any non-movable structure having alarge number (i.e., thousands) of seats, wherein an event occurs at(i.e., within a close proximity) of the seats such that spectatorssitting in the seats can view the event. An “event” is any occurrenceviewed by a spectator.

Each monitor within the stadium receives one of the aforementioned videosignals and displays an image defined by the received video signal.Therefore, a spectator can view the monitor displaying the image thathas a perspective desirable to the spectator. However, the monitorhaving the desired perspective is often not located in a convenientlocation for the spectator. In this regard, the spectator usually mustleave his seat (or other location) in the stadium and go to a locationwhere the spectator, along with other spectators, can view the monitordisplaying the desired perspective.

Thus a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry for providinga system and method that enables a spectator to conveniently view anevent from different perspectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the inadequacies and deficiencies of theprior art as discussed hereinbefore. Generally, the present inventionprovides a video/audio system and method for receiving video and audiosignals from a plurality of sources and for providing a user withmultiple combinations of these signals to select from.

The present invention includes an interface device that receives aplurality of audio and video signals from a plurality of sources. Theinterface device combines these signals into various combinations andtransmits the combinations to a receiver. The receiver is configured tointerface one of the combinations of signals with a user. In thisregard, the receiver allows the user to select one of the combinations,and in response, the receiver separates the video signal(s) of theselected combination from the audio signal(s) of the selectedcombination. Then, the receiver renders the video signal(s) via adisplay device and produces a sound defined by the audio signal(s) via aspeaker. Accordingly, the user is able to control which set of audio andvideo signals are interfaced with the user.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the followingdetailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. It is intended that all such features and advantages beincluded herein within the scope of the present invention and protectedby the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scalerelative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the invention. Furthermore, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a video/audio system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed view of an interfacedevice depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed view of a receiverdepicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be describedhereafter in the context of auto racing applications. However, the scopeof the present invention should not be so limited, and it should beapparent to one skilled in the art that the principles of the presentinvention may be employed in the context of other applications,particularly in the context of other sporting events (e.g., footballgames, basketball, games, baseball games, hockey matches, etc.).

FIG. 1 depicts a video/audio system 20 implementing the principles ofthe present invention. At least one video signal 22 and at least oneaudio signal 25 are received by an interface device 28. Each of thereceived video signals 22 defines a view of the race from a differentperspective. For example, the video signals 22 may be generated bydifferent video cameras located at different locations around thestadium, including inside at least some of the vehicles participating inthe race.

Furthermore, each of the audio signals 25 defines different soundsassociated with the race. For example, at least one of the audio signals25 may be generated from a microphone located close to the track or inone of the vehicles such that the audio signal 25 defines noise from thevehicles participating in the race. Alternatively, at least one of theaudio signals 25 may define the comments of television commentators, andat least one of the audio signals 25 may define the comments of radiocommentators. Furthermore, at least one of the audio signals 25 maydefine the comments between one of the drivers participating in the raceand the driver's pit crew.

Some of the video and audio signals 22 and 25 can be unmodulated whentransmitted to the interface device 28 and, therefore, do not need to bedemodulated by the system 20. However, some of the video and audiosignals 22 and 25 may need to be demodulated by the system 20. Forexample, at least one of the audio signals 25 defining the comments ofthe radio commentators may be modulated as a radio signal fortransmission to radios located at or away from the stadium, and at leastone of the video signals 25 may be modulated as a television signal fortransmission to televisions located at or away from the stadium. Inaddition, the comments between a driver and the driver's pit crew areusually transmitted via ultra high frequency (UHF) radio waves, whichare known to be modulated signals. Therefore, as shown by FIG. 1, thesystem 20 preferably includes demodulators 32 configured to receive anddemodulate the video and/or audio signals 22 and 25.

It is possible for some of the video and audio signals 22 and 25 to bereceived from a combined signal 35, which is comprised of at least onevideo signal 22 combined with at least one audio signal 25. For example,the combined signal 35 may be a television signal modulated fortransmission to televisions located at or away from the track stadium.To facilitate the combination of different audio signals 25 with thevideo signal(s) 22 defined by the combined signal 35, a separator 37preferably separates the combined signal 35 into its respective videosignal 22 and audio signal 25, as shown by FIG. 1.

Various configurations of the separator 37 may exist without departingfrom the principles of the present invention. FIG. 1 depicts a possibleimplementation of the separator 37. In this regard, the separator 37includes an audio signal filter 41 designed to filter out any audiosignals 25 from the combined signal 35 and to transmit the resultingvideo signal(s) 22 to interface device 28. Furthermore, the separator 37also includes a video signal filter 43 designed to filter out any videosignals 22 from the combined signal 35 and to transmit the resultingaudio signal(s) 25 to interface device 28. If more than one video signal22 or more than one audio signal 25 is included in the combined signal35, then the separator 37 may include additional filters (not shown) toseparate the multiple video and/or audio signals 22 and 25 intoindividual signals before transmitting the signals 22 and 25 to theinterface device 28.

FIG. 2 depicts a more detailed view of the interface device 28. Theinterface device 28 includes audio combiners 52 configured to receiveaudio signals 25 and to combine the received audio signals 25 into asingle combined audio signal 55. As shown by FIG. 2, each audio combiner52 preferably receives a different combination of audio signals 25,although it is possible for any one of the combined signals 55 toinclude the same combination of audio signals 25 as any other combinedsignal 55. Note that when an audio combiner 52 receives only one audiosignal 25, the combined signal 55 output by the combiner 52 matches theone signal 25 received by the combiner 52.

As an example, one of the combined signals 55 may include an audiosignal 25 defining comments between a driver and the driver's pit crewand also an audio signal 25 defining sounds (i.e., vehicular noises)received by a microphone located in the driver's vehicle. Another of thecombined signals 55 may include the aforementioned audio signals 25 aswell as an audio signal 25 defining a radio commentator's comments.Another combined signal 55 may only include an audio signal 25 defininga television commentator's comments. Accordingly, the combined signals55 preferably define different combinations of sounds. It should benoted that combinations of audio signals 25 other than those describedhereinabove are possible.

As shown by FIG. 2, each combined signal 55 is transmitted to arespective signal modulator 61. Each signal modulator 61 is alsoconfigured to receive a respective one of the video signals 25 receivedby the interface device 28. Each signal modulator 61 is configured tocombine the received combined signal 55 and video signal 25 and tomodulate the received signals 55 and 25 on a unique frequency range. Thesignal modulator 61 is then designed to transmit the modulated signal64, which comprises the combined signal 55 and the video signal 25received by the signal modulator 61, to a combiner 67. The combiner 67is configured to combine each of the modulated signals 64 transmittedfrom each of the signal modulators 61 into a single combined (i.e.,multiplexed) signal 71. This combined signal 71 is then transmitted to aplurality of receivers 75.

Various techniques exist for transmitting combined signal 71 toreceivers 75. For example, a coaxial cable may be used to transmit thecombined signal 71 to each of the receivers 75. In another example, thesystem 20 may include a wireless transmitter (not shown) that transmitsthe combined signal 71 to the receivers 75. Any technique fortransmitting the combined signal 71 to the receivers 75 should besuitable for implementing the present invention.

A more detailed view of receiver 75 is shown by FIG. 3. Receiver 75preferably includes a demodulator 82. The demodulator 82 is configuredto demodulate the combined signal 71 and to separate (i.e., demultiplex)the combined signal 71 into signals 84 based on frequency, such thateach signal 84 respectively corresponds with one of the modulatedsignals 64. In this regard, the demodulator 82 recovers the individualsignals 64 as signals 84, and each signal 84 is, therefore, defined bythe same video and audio signals 22 and 25 that define its correspondingmodulated signal 64. Therefore, like modulated signals 64, each signal84 is preferably comprised of a unique combination of video and audiosignals 22 and 25.

Signals 84 are transmitted from demodulator 82 to a multiplexer 88,which also receives control signals 92 from a user interface 94. Theuser interface 94 preferably includes buttons or other types of switchesthat enable a spectator to select one of the signals 84 via controlsignals 92. In this regard, the multiplexer 88, through techniques wellknown in the art, selects one of the signals 84 based on control signals92 and outputs the selected signal 84 as output signal 97, as shown byFIG. 3.

The receiver 75 includes an audio signal filter 41 configured to filterthe audio signal(s) 25 out of signal 97. Therefore, only the videosignal(s) 22 within signal 97 are transmitted to a display screen 101,which is configured to render the received video signal(s) 22 (i.e.,display an image defined by the received video signal(s) 22) to thespectator.

The receiver 75 also includes a video signal filter 43 configured tofilter the video signal(s) 22 out of signal 97. Therefore, only theaudio signal(s) 25 within signal 97 are transmitted to a speaker 103,which is configured to produce sounds defined by the received audiosignal(s) 25, through techniques well known in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, the display screen 101 and speaker 103 areincluded within a head mounted display (HMD), which is a well knowndevice of the prior art. An example of a head mounted display suitablefor implementing the present invention is fully described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,844,656, entitled “Head Mounted Display with AdjustmentComponents” and filed on Nov. 7, 1996, by Ronzani et al., which isincorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, when the combined signal71 is transmitted via a coaxial cable, the receiver 75 may be located ata spectator's stadium seat or other convenient location. When thecombined signal 71 is transmitted via a wireless transmitter, thereceiver 75 is portable, and a spectator may carry the receiver 75 withhim and choose where he would like to view the images and hear thesounds produced by the receiver 75.

Accordingly, the spectator may remain in his seat (or other convenientlocation) and control, by manipulating buttons or other types ofswitches in the user interface 94, which combination of video and audiosignals 22 and 25 are respectively transmitted to display screen 101 andspeaker 103. Therefore, the system 20 gives the spectator moreflexibility in how the spectator views the race and, as a result, makesthe race a more enjoyable experience.

OPERATION

The preferred use and operation of the video/audio system 20 andassociated methodology are described hereafter.

Assume for illustrative purposes only that a spectator would like toattend an auto race and would like to have access to an in-car view froma camera within his favorite driver's car. In addition, the spectatorwould also like to continuously hear the dialogue between theaforementioned driver and the driver's pit crew, as well as the commentsprovided by his favorite radio commentator. It should be apparent thatother views and/or sounds may be desirable in other examples.

In the past, the spectator would have to attend the race and acquire (aswell as tune) a radio to receive the commentator's comments and a radioto receive the radio signals transmitted between the driver and thedriver's pit crew. Then, the spectator would have to locate a monitor atthe stadium displaying the in-car view that he desires to see. Thespectator would then remain within sight of the monitor and listen tothe two radios. If the monitor is not located in a desirable locationfor viewing the race, the spectator would have to choose between viewingthe monitor and viewing the race at a desirable location. Furthermore,the handling of multiple radios is generally cumbersome and distracting.

However, in accordance with the present invention, the user attends therace and is provided a receiver 75 for his individual use. In thepreferred embodiment, the receiver 75 is located at the spectator's seatwithin the stadium. However, the receiver 75 may be located at otherconvenient locations, and when the combined signal 71 is transmitted viaa wireless transmitter, the spectator may carry the receiver 75 aroundwith him to any desirable location in or around the stadium.

The spectator then manipulates buttons or other types of switches atuser interface 94 to control which signal 84 is output by multiplexer 88and, therefore, which signals 22 and 25 are respectively received bydisplay 101 and speaker 103. Accordingly, the spectator may use thereceiver 75 to see the desired view of the race (i.e., the in-car view)and to hear the desired sounds of the race (i.e., the sounds received bythe microphone in his favorite driver's car, the dialogue between thedriver and the driver's pit crew, and the comments from the radiocommentator).

In this regard, the interface device 28 preferably receives at least avideo signal 22 defining the in-car view of his favorite driver and aplurality of audio signals 25 defining the sounds received by themicrophone in his favorite driver's car, the dialogue between the driverand the driver's pit crew, and the comments from the radio commentator.At least one of the audio combiners 52 combines these audio signals 25into a combined signal 55. One of the signal modulators 61 receives thiscombined signal 55 and the video signal 22 defining the desired in-carview. This video signal 22 is modulated and combined with the foregoingcombined signal 55 by one of the signal modulators 61 to create amodulated signal 64. This modulated signal 64 is combined with othermodulated signals 64 and transmitted to the spectator's receiver 75 viacombiner 67.

The demodulator 82 in the spectator's receiver 75 demodulates andseparates the received signal 71 into separate signals 84. Based on thecontrol signals 92 received from user interface 94, the multiplexer 88allows only the signal 84 defined by the aforementioned video and audiosignals 22 and 25 to pass. Therefore, these video and audio signals 22and 25 are respectively transmitted to the display 101 and speaker 103and the spectator may enjoy the view and sounds that he selected.

It should be noted that it is not necessary for the spectator to keepthe receiver 75 within the stadium. In this regard, the signal 71 may betransmitted via satellites and/or communication networks to variouslocations around the world, and the spectator may select the view andsounds he prefers the most from just about any location capable ofreceiving signal 71.

It should also be noted that the receiver 75 may be retrieved from thespectator after the spectator is finished viewing the event so that thereceiver can be provided to another spectator for another event at thestadium. Each spectator is preferably charged a usage fee forspectator's use of the receiver 75.

Furthermore, the present invention has been described herein in thecontext of auto racing. However, the system 20 may be useful in otherapplications as well. The system 20 would be useful in any applicationwhere it is desirable for the user to control the types of views andsounds of an event that are presented to the user. For example, thepresent invention could be particularly useful in any type of sportingevent or other type of event attended by a large number of people.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present invention andprotected by the claims.

1-22. (canceled)
 23. A content delivery network for delivering contentto a portable handheld device used by a spectator while attending anevent live, the portable device having a receiver, a display and a userinterface, the network comprising: a plurality of video cameras locatedat a live event, the video cameras being located at different locationsaround the event, the video cameras producing video signals containinglive video content of the event from different viewing perspectives; aninterface receiving at least two video signals, wherein at least one ofsaid video signals is from said at least one of said video cameras; anda transmitter transmitting said video signals locally, in an areaencompassing the live event, for reception by a handheld device at saidlive event in a manner that permits the spectator to select, through theuser interface of the handheld device, the live video content from asingle one of the video cameras located at the live event, and thatpermits the spectator to control a type of viewing perspective presentedto the spectator on the display of the handheld device.
 24. The contentdelivery network of claim 23, wherein said live event is a sportingevent of one of a football game, a basketball game, a baseball game, ahockey game, golf, and an automobile race.
 25. The content deliverynetwork of claim 23, wherein one of said cameras is located in a vehicleparticipating in an automobile race.
 26. The content delivery network ofclaim 23, wherein said at least two signals include a video signal fromone of said cameras and a television transmission signal.
 27. Thecontent delivery network of claim 23, further comprising a coaxial cableconnected to said transmitter for continuously conveying said videosignals.
 28. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein saidtransmitter transmits said video signals continuously over a wireless RFlink.
 29. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein saidinterface receives a plurality of audio signals associated with saidevent, said transmitter locally transmitting, for reception by thehandheld devices at said event, said plurality of video signals and saidplurality of audio signals.
 30. The content delivery network of claim29, wherein said plurality of video and audio signals define differentviews and different sounds of said event and said event is an automobilerace, with said different views including in-car views, said differentsounds including audio between a driver of a car and a pit crew for saiddriver.
 31. The content delivery network of claim 23, further comprisinga handheld device including a portable receiver for receiving said videosignals, the handheld device including a user interface that permits auser to select and view live video content from a single video camerauninterrupted until the user chooses to select another one of said videocameras.
 32. The content delivery network of claim 31, wherein saidportable receiver comprises a display for displaying video defined by aselected one of said plurality of video signals continuously under thecontrol of the user through the user interface.
 33. The content deliverynetwork of claim 23, wherein said viewing perspectives are associatedwith locations of said plurality of video cameras.
 34. The contentdelivery network of claim 23, further comprising a communication networkfor transmitting said plurality of video signals within a predeterminedarea adjacent said event.
 35. The content delivery network of claim 23,wherein said interface comprises a plurality of audio combiners forcombining a plurality of audio signals.
 36. The content delivery networkof claim 23, wherein said interface comprises a plurality of signalmodulators for combining said combinations of audio signals with atleast one of said plurality of video signals to produce a plurality ofcombinations of said received signals.
 37. The content delivery networkof claim 23, wherein said interface comprises a signal combiner forcombining said plurality of video signals to form at least one combinedsignal for transmission.
 38. The content delivery network of claim 23,wherein said transmitter transmits a plurality of multiplexed videosignals carried over a carrier frequency.
 39. A system providing videoand audio for an event, comprising: at least one video recording deviceat an event; at least one audio recording device at said event; aninterface for receiving a plurality of video signals, at least one fromsaid at least one video recording device, and at least one audio signalfrom said at least one audio recording device, said interface configuredto transmit said received video and audio signals continuously at saidevent; and a portable receiver for receiving said signals, the portablereceiver having a user interface to allow for selection of any one ofsaid video and audio signals, said receiver displaying to the user aselected video signal continuously until the user chooses to selectanother video signal.
 40. The system of claim 39, wherein said portablereceiver is provided in combination with a seat for a spectator of saidevent.
 41. The system of claim 39, further comprising a wirelesstransmitter and wherein said portable receiver is configured forwireless operation, with said wireless transmitter transmittingwirelessly said video and audio signals to said receiver.
 42. The systemof claim 39, further comprising a plurality of video and audio recordingdevices and wherein said video recording devices provide a plurality ofviews of different locations within said event and said audio devicesprovide a plurality of sounds from different locations within saidevent, and said portable receiver is configured to display at least oneof said plurality of views and produce audio of at least one of saidplurality of sounds.
 43. The system of claim 39, wherein said portablereceiver comprises a user interface to select any one of said receivedvideo and audio signals based upon a user input.
 44. The system of claim39, wherein said interface comprises at least one signal conditionerconfigured to condition at least one of said received signals.
 45. Thesystem of claim 39, wherein said at least one signal conditionercomprises at least one signal demodulator.
 46. A content deliverynetwork for delivering content to portable wireless handheld devicesused by spectators while attending an event live, the networkcomprising: at least one video camera located at a live event, the videocamera producing a first event-related video signal of continuous videocontent associated with the live event; an interface receiving at leasttwo video signals, wherein at least one of said video signalsconstitutes said first event-related video signal, said interfaceoutputting at least said first event-related video signal continuously;and a transmitter transmitting said at least two video signals output bysaid interface locally for reception by the handheld devices at saidlive event.
 47. The content delivery network of claim 46, wherein atleast one of said two video signals constitutes a televisiontransmission signal.